Ava Monroe
Gel manicures can take a toll on nails, often leaving them weak, brittle, and prone to chipping and peeling. This is because the process of removing gel nail polish can be particularly damaging, especially if you're removing it by peeling or picking at it. Fortunately, there are many nail-strengthening products on the market that can help restore your nails to health. These products typically contain ingredients like vitamins, proteins, and hydrators, which help to nourish and seal the nail, making it stronger and more resistant to damage. In this article, we will explore the different types of nail-strengthening products available and provide recommendations for the best products to use based on your specific needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Heal and grow weak, brittle, chipping, and damaged nails |
| Application | Apply one to two coats daily and remove after seven days for best results |
| Ingredients | Keratin, hyaluronic acid, pistacia lentiscus oil, glycerin, urea, jojoba oil, silk, calcium, collagen, wheat protein, bamboo extract, kukui nut oil, diamond powder, safflower seed oil, vitamin E, etc. |
| Brands | CND RescueRXx, Essie, Orly, OPI, Hard As Hoof, Blue Cross, Butter London, Deborah Lippmann, DefenAge, Gelish Vitagel |
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What You'll Learn
Nail strengtheners with keratin
If you're looking for a nail strengthener with keratin, there are several options to choose from. One popular option is the CND RescueRXx Daily Keratin Treatment, which is brushed on and then massaged into the nails and cuticles. This treatment contains strengthening keratin, as well as moisturising sweet almond oil and jojoba oil. With regular use, users have reported stronger and healthier-looking nails.
Another keratin-based nail strengthener is the Nail-Aid Keratin 3-Day Growth treatment. This product contains keratin amino acids that absorb into soft, weak nail layers to give them maximum strength and stop peeling and chipping. It dries quickly and can be used alone or as a base and top coat.
For a more natural option, you could try the Typology Hand & Nail Serum, which features a high concentration of plant-based keratin and hyaluronic acid. This formula is designed to moisturise the skin and cuticles while revitalising brittle nails. It can be applied up to twice daily for nails in serious need of nourishment.
If you're looking for a treatment that can be used under gel polish, the Blue Cross nail strengthener is a good option. It contains light-reflecting particles that make your nails look better while they heal and grow, and it can be used as a base coat under your gel polish.
Finally, the Lights Lacquer Magic Strengthener is a keratin-enriched treatment that can be applied once a week for a high-shine finish. This product is ideal for those struggling with flimsy, peeling, or breaking nails due to the regular use of gel manicures.
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Nail-strengthening base coats
When choosing a nail-strengthening base coat, opt for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, pistacia lentiscus oil, panthenol, biotin, calcium, and protein. These ingredients help to hydrate, repair, and protect your nails. Some popular options include Blue Cross's multitasking wonder, which leaves a super-sheer pink on your nails, and OPI's Nail Envy, which comes in a range of colours while also strengthening your nails.
If you're looking for a more intensive treatment, consider the CND RescueRXx Daily Keratin Treatment, which can be brushed on and massaged into your nails and cuticles. This treatment contains strengthening ingredients like keratin, sweet almond oil, and jojoba oil, and it has been praised for its quick absorption and drying time.
For a more natural approach, there are also simple nourishing oils that can effectively strengthen your nails. Additionally, make sure to properly remove your nail polish to avoid causing further damage to your nails.
Overall, nail-strengthening base coats are a great way to improve the health and appearance of your nails, especially if you're a fan of gel manicures. With consistent use, you can achieve stronger, healthier, and more beautiful nails.
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Nail-strengthening top coats
One popular option is OPI's Nail Envy, a strengthening top coat that comes in a variety of colours. It is formulated with biotin, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and E, and is free from harmful ingredients like formaldehyde and phthalate. Reviewers have noticed a difference in their nail health within just a week or two of use.
Another highly-rated top coat is Chanel’s Protective and Smoothing Nail Treatment, which can be used as both a nail strengthener and a base coat. It is formulated with camellia oil to nourish the nails and alleviate dryness, as well as cellulose to repair the nail’s surface. Users have noticed an improvement in the overall health of their nails, with less brittleness and breakage.
For those looking for a more affordable option, Essie's nail care range includes the Essie On a Roll Apricot Nail & Cuticle Oil, as well as the Essie to the Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair, which is specifically designed for gel polish wearers.
Some other notable mentions include Blue Cross’s multitasking nail strengthener, which leaves a super-sheer pink on your nails and contains light-reflecting particles that create a flawless finish. There's also Londontown’s Nail Hardener and Base Coat, which is made with rapeseed oil, vitamins A and E, and biotin to leave nails hydrated and nourished.
While gel manicures can take a toll on nail health, there are ways to mitigate the damage. Using a strengthening top coat can help to protect your nails and improve their overall health, so you can have the best of both worlds – healthy nails and a flawless, shiny finish.
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Nail-strengthening treatments
There are many nail-strengthening treatments available, which can help to restore damaged nail beds with vitamins, proteins, and hydrators. Nails are composed of cells called keratinocytes, and by using a nail strengthener, you can nourish and seal these cells, making them stronger and more resistant to damage.
One popular nail-strengthening treatment is Hard As Hoof, which is available on Amazon. It contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin, urea, and jojoba oil, as well as strengthening ingredients like silk and calcium. Another option is Orly's treatment, which claims to strengthen nails with collagen, wheat protein, keratin, and bamboo extract. It also imparts a sheer pink tint to nails.
If you're looking for a clear treatment, try Butter London's clear Base Coat Nail Polish Horsepower. For tinted options, OPI offers a range of colours in their Nail Envy formula, which is designed to strengthen nails while providing the benefits of a normal manicure. CND RescueRXx is another popular option, which can be brushed on and then massaged into the nail and cuticle, resulting in minimal drying time.
For those who prefer a gel manicure, Essie's To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair is a great option to help strengthen and repair nails. It's important to note that most nail strengtheners in polish form cannot be used under gel polish, so it's best to treat your nails for a couple of weeks before getting a gel manicure.
In addition to these products, there are also simple nourishing oils that can be effective in strengthening nails.
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Nail-strengthening products with vitamins
While there are many nail-strengthening products on the market, scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is often lacking. That being said, some products have been shown to improve nail health.
One way to strengthen your nails is to use a nail-strengthening polish. These polishes help restore damaged nail beds with vitamins, proteins, and hydrators. There are two types of nail strengtheners: those that "hydrate" (e.g. hyaluronic acid, butylene glycol, lactic acid, panthenol) and those that "protect" (e.g. calcium, protein, biotin) by creating a film that acts as a physical shield. For example, Essie's "On a Roll" Apricot Nail & Cuticle Oil is a great option for cuticles, while Essie's "to the Rescue" UV Gel Damage Repair is perfect for gel-polish wearers.
Another way to strengthen your nails is to use a keratin-replenishing formula. This type of product can help if your nails are lacking keratin, a protein that helps form the tissues of the skin, hair, and nails. One such product is the CND RescueRXx Daily Keratin Treatment, which can be brushed on and then massaged into the nail and cuticle. With regular use, your nails will feel stronger and look much healthier.
In addition to topical treatments, consuming certain vitamins and nutrients can help improve nail health. Biotin supplements are one of the only types of supplements shown to have a positive effect on nail health. Vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9) are also important for nail growth and health, as they contribute to red blood cell formation and the development of new cells. A deficiency in these vitamins can cause pigment changes and make nails rigid and brittle. Other important nutrients for nail health include zinc, calcium, collagen, and vitamins A and C.
It is important to note that consuming a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients through food is the best way to improve and maintain nail health. Supplements may be beneficial in certain circumstances, but they are not a miracle cure and will only make a difference if you are already lacking the vitamins they contain.
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Frequently asked questions
OPI's Nail Envy is a popular strengthening gel nail polish that comes in a variety of colours. It is a blend of biotin, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and E.
A good formaldehyde-free option is OPI Nail Envy. It contains several nail-shielding ingredients to prevent breakage and kukui nut oil to soften the nails.
Butter London's clear Base Coat Nail Polish Horsepower is a good option for a clear base coat. It contains hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, tea tree oil, vitamin E, calcium, and arginine.
Deborah Lippmann's Hard Rock is a protein-rich formula that can be used as a top coat. It contains diamond powder, safflower seed oil, and biotin.
Essie to the Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair is a good option for repairing damaged nails. It is designed to mitigate peeling, splitting, and thinning.
